Palestinians launch boycott of Israeli food products in West Bank

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Activists from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement have launched a campaign in the West Bank, calling on people to boycott products made by six major Israeli food companies.

The campaign, launched Wednesday, is described as a response to Israel's recent decision to halt the transfer of tax revenues to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority. Israel took the step after the Palestinian decision to join the International Criminal Court, where they have threatened to pursue war crimes charges against Israel.

Mahmoud Aloul, the Fatah official overseeing the campaign, says shop owners have been given two weeks to clear their shelves of the Israeli products.

He says "activists" will confiscate any products found after that.

Israel's Foreign Ministry declined to comment.

The Palestinians have unsuccessfully attempted similar boycotts in the past.